O'ahu briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
EAST HONOLULU
Hanauma Bay lifeguards busy
It was a busy day for lifeguards at Hanauma Bay yesterday, with three near-drownings reported.
"It was extremely busy, and it was hot. Everyone was in the water," said lifeguard Lt. Ron Bregman.
The first incident, at 11:30 a.m., involved a 15-year-old tourist from Texas who was rescued outside the reef near Witch's Brew. She was taken to a hospital for treatment.
At 2:30 p.m., a 55-year-old man was rescued about 100 yards offshore.
At 3:45 p.m., a 50-year-old male visitor from Japan was brought out of the water, unconscious. He was revived and taken to a local hospital.
Another teen tourist from Texas, this one 17, was treated at about 1 p.m. for cuts caused by the reef on her hands and legs. She was disoriented and was treated at the scene by lifeguards, Bregman said.
Skateboarders get 2nd ramp
East Honolulu's second temporary skateboard ramp has been installed at Koko Head District Park and will be open to the public tomorrow, city officials said.
The 6-foot half pipe, which includes a special surface to help it weather the outdoors, was installed yesterday.
Experts collect human remains
Archaeologists with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources were called to a Kahala home over the weekend to collect human remains unearthed in a construction project.
Police said the remains were found by workers who were digging the foundation for a swimming pool at a Kealaolu Avenue home on Friday.
Courtney Construction officials said workers found the remains about 5 1/2 feet underground. The remains appeared to be more than 50 years old, police said.
CENTRAL
'Aiea-Pearl City designs sought
The city will play host to a community design workshop for the 'Aiea-Pearl City area at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Pearl Ridge Elementary School cafeteria on Moanalua Road.
The workshop will be the first step in the design phase of the Livable Communities Plan. Participants will come up with a plan to document the values and concerns of residents.
The group will also identify projects to incorporate those values into the Livable Communities Plan, including creating new town centers, revitalizing areas and landscaping along major roads.
LEEWARD
City's landfill plan on agenda
The city proposal to expand the Waimanalo Gulch Landfill and its recently released supplemental environmental impact statement on the project will be discussed at the Wai'anae Coast Neighborhood Board meeting at 7 p.m. today at the Wai'anae Neighborhood Community Center.
The city will also have an open house to answer questions about the proposed landfill expansion, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 16 at the Kapolei Hale ground-floor meeting room on Uluohia Street.
Bridge repairs in Makaha and a trial plan to close Poka'i Bay Beach Park at night will also be discussed.
HONOLULU
Tonga takes center stage
Students from the Atenisi University of Tonga will present traditional Tongan songs and dances as well as classical music pieces in a free program at 7 tonight at First United Methodist Church on the corner of Beretania and Victoria streets.
Aloha United Way seeks $13.6 million
Aloha United Way last week announced a goal of $13.6 million for the 2001 general campaign, slightly higher than the $13.5 million raised last year.
"It's a stretch goal, given the slight downturn in our economy and anticipated reduction in employment, but we're optimistic about getting more people and companies involved this year," said Gary Slovin, AUW's 2001 campaign chair and an attorney with Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel.
The 2001 campaign will run from Aug. 30 to Oct. 12. The money will help support 65 health and human services agencies on O'ahu.
Learn of fellowships at White House
An information session will be held today in Waikiki for those interested in applying for White House Fellowships.
Each year, between 11 and 19 fellows are selected to serve the president as full-time, paid special assistants to Cabinet members and senior White House staff. Today's session will be held from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Hilton Hawaiian Village's South Pacific Ballroom No. 2.
Current fellow, Raymond Jefferson, who is from Honolulu, said it's the first time in the program's 34- year history that the fellows have visited Hawai'i. Among the alumni of the leadership program are: Secretary of State Colin Powell, Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao; former Honolulu City Councilman Mufi Hannemann; and Hawaii Pacific University law professor Mel Masuda.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens. There are no age restrictions but the average age of fellows is early-30s. Applications are due by Feb. 1. Federal government employees are not eligible unless they are active-duty military personnel.
The program is designed "to allow a select group of outstanding men and women with leadership potential a year-long opportunity to participate in federal government and policy-making at the highest levels." The fellowships were created in 1964 by President Lyndon Johnson.
For details and applications, call the president's Commission on White House Fellowships at (202) 395-7475; write to them at 712 Jackson Place, NW, Washington, D.C. 20503; or visit www.whitehousefellows.gov.
